Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many people are employed by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is operationally independent from Government. The FCA will respond to the Noble Lord by letter, and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House of Lords.

Employment figures for the year ending March 2025 can be found in the FCA’s Annual Report and Accounts: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/annual-reports/annual-report-2024-25.pdf

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have banned Israeli students from attending the Royal College of Defence Studies because they consider Israel to have committed war crimes in Gaza.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

UK military educational courses have long been open to personnel from a wide range of countries, with all UK military courses emphasising compliance with international humanitarian law.

However, the Israeli Government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong. There must be a diplomatic solution to end this war now, with an immediate ceasefire, the return of the hostages and a surge in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. We have therefore paused future Israeli participation in UK-run courses.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the comments by Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, that there is a likely future scenario where the oceans are “effectively transparent and submarines are no longer allowed to hide”.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We recognise that there are increasing threats to maritime security, including the underwater battlespace, from technological change and the proliferation of advanced capabilities. Assessments of these threats directly inform how we pursue technological advancements across all domains, including in the way we design, build and operate our submarines, to ensure the effectiveness of our capabilities in complex and challenging environments.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many people are employed by (1) the Financial Reporting Council, and (2) the Competition and Markets Authority.

Answered by Lord Leong - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The latest available data is:

(1) The Financial Reporting Council – 459 staff – taken from 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts published 22 July 2025; and

(2) The Competition and Markets Authority – 1,112 staff – taken from CMA: workforce management information published 31 July 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in providing the United Kingdom with the ability to deliver airborne nuclear weapons, and what is the projected timetable of such capability.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The United Kingdom remains committed to its obligations under NATO's nuclear deterrence framework. Further details on the delivery of defence capabilities and timelines, including those announced in the Strategic Defence Review, will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 17 October (HL10809), whether they will now answer the question put, namely what progress they have made in providing the United Kingdom with the ability to deliver airborne nuclear weapons, and what is the projected timetable of such capability.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Further details on the delivery of defence capabilities and timelines will be published in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. This includes details relating to the acquisition of the 12 F-35A aircraft which the UK will contribute to NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission.

Found: Letter dated 29/09/2025 from Siobhán Sheridan Chief People Officer to Lord Lee of Trafford regarding